Latest news with #JustinTkatchenko
Asahi Shimbun
18 hours ago
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Pacific Islands delay security plan that could open door to China
A grocery store run by a Chinese man in Honiara, Solomon Islands, displays flags of China and the Solomon Islands on the wall on May 29, 2020. (The Asahi Shimbun) SYDNEY--Leaders of the four biggest Pacific Islands nations have delayed adopting a joint security strategy that could provide an opening for Beijing, against a backdrop of increasing rivalry between China, Australia and the United States in the Pacific Ocean. The Melanesian Spearhead Group, which includes Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji, had been negotiating its first joint security framework, focused on maritime security. A meeting of the group's leaders on Monday in Fiji delayed a decision, with Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko telling Reuters the security strategy was yet to be agreed on. Discussions over Taiwan, among other matters, and how to accommodate the different positions of members was challenging, he said on Thursday. The inter-government group, courted by Beijing which funded its headquarters in Vanuatu, has previously said it would consider China as a security partner. The Pacific's bigger diplomatic bloc, the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum, has rejected China security ties and said instead the Pacific should provide its own security. Among the Melanesian Spearhead Group nations, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are seen as the closest to Beijing with policing ties, while Papua New Guinea has security deals with the United States and Australia, and Fiji has a defense partnership with Australia. Australia said on Thursday it would assist the Pacific Islands to counter illegal fishing by doubling funding to A$477 million ($312 million) for aerial maritime surveillance across millions of km (miles) of the Pacific, using civilian planes and drones. China, which operates the biggest fishing fleets, demonstrated its coast guard capabilities to 10 Pacific Islands ministers last month, prompting concern from some regional officials it may start patrolling the South Pacific, where the United States Coast Guard has increased activity. LARGEST TRADING PARTNER Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy attended the Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting for the first time, sitting across the room from China's ambassador Zhou Jian at the Fiji discussions. China's embassy in Fiji said in a statement that the group was a 'crucial platform for promoting regional peace and stability.' In the meeting, Conroy highlighted that Australia is the largest trading partner of every member of the group. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said in a statement that progress was made on the security strategy, with 'a firm commitment to collaborate with member countries and associate partners to enhance stability and peace throughout the region'. He did not specific which partners. In the Solomon Islands on Thursday, Conroy said Australia will provide 60 police vehicles, cyber security support and road upgrades for Honiara to host the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in September. 'The Pacific is best served by Pacific-led institutions and processes,' he said in a statement. Solomon Islands is yet to formally respond to Australia's offer in December of A$100 million to expand its police force, Conroy said in a television interview. 'I made it clear that I don't think that China should be involved in policing in the Pacific,' he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Solomon Islands said it would fill any security gaps by seeking assistance from Melanesian countries, he added.
Reuters
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Pacific Islands delay security plan that could open door to China
SYDNEY, June 26 (Reuters) - Leaders of the four biggest Pacific Islands nations have delayed adopting a joint security strategy that could provide an opening for Beijing, against a backdrop of increasing rivalry between China, Australia and the United States in the Pacific Ocean. The Melanesian Spearhead Group, which includes Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji, had been negotiating its first joint security framework, focused on maritime security. A meeting of the group's leaders on Monday in Fiji delayed a decision, with Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko telling Reuters the security strategy was yet to be agreed on. Discussions over Taiwan, among other matters, and how to accommodate the different positions of members was challenging, he said on Thursday. The inter-government group, courted by Beijing which funded its headquarters in Vanuatu, has previously said it would consider China as a security partner. The Pacific's bigger diplomatic bloc, the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum, has rejected China security ties and said instead the Pacific should provide its own security. Among the Melanesian Spearhead Group nations, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are seen as the closest to Beijing with policing ties, while Papua New Guinea has security deals with the United States and Australia, and Fiji has a defence partnership with Australia. Australia said on Thursday it would assist the Pacific Islands to counter illegal fishing by doubling funding to A$477 million ($312 million) for aerial maritime surveillance across millions of km (miles) of the Pacific, using civilian planes and drones. China, which operates the biggest fishing fleets, demonstrated its coast guard capabilities to 10 Pacific Islands ministers last month, prompting concern from some regional officials it may start patrolling the South Pacific, where the United States Coast Guard has increased activity. Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy attended the Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting for the first time, sitting across the room from China's ambassador Zhou Jian at the Fiji discussions. China's embassy in Fiji said in a statement that the group was a "crucial platform for promoting regional peace and stability". In the meeting, Conroy highlighted that Australia is the largest trading partner of every member of the group. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said in a statement that progress was made on the security strategy, with "a firm commitment to collaborate with member countries and associate partners to enhance stability and peace throughout the region". He did not specific which partners. In the Solomon Islands on Thursday, Conroy said Australia will provide 60 police vehicles, cyber security support and road upgrades for Honiara to host the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in September. "The Pacific is best served by Pacific-led institutions and processes," he said in a statement. Solomon Islands is yet to formally respond to Australia's offer in December of A$100 million to expand its police force, Conroy said in a television interview. "I made it clear that I don't think that China should be involved in policing in the Pacific," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Solomon Islands said it would fill any security gaps by seeking assistance from Melanesian countries, he added. ($1 = 1.5312 Australian dollars)
Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Pacific Islands delay security plan that could open door to China
SYDNEY - Leaders of the four biggest Pacific Islands nations have delayed adopting a joint security strategy that could provide an opening for Beijing, against a backdrop of increasing rivalry between China, Australia and the United States in the Pacific Ocean. The Melanesian Spearhead Group, which includes Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji, had been negotiating its first joint security framework, focused on maritime security. A meeting of the group's leaders on June 23 in Fiji delayed a decision, with Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko telling Reuters the security strategy was yet to be agreed on. Discussions over Taiwan, among other matters, and how to accommodate the different positions of members was challenging, he said on June 26. The inter-government group, courted by Beijing which funded its headquarters in Vanuatu, has previously said it would consider China as a security partner. The Pacific's bigger diplomatic bloc, the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum, has rejected China security ties and said instead the Pacific should provide its own security. Among the Melanesian Spearhead Group nations, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are seen as the closest to Beijing with policing ties, while Papua New Guinea has security deals with the United States and Australia, and Fiji has a defence partnership with Australia. Australia said on June 26 it would assist the Pacific Islands to counter illegal fishing by doubling funding to A$477 million (S$397.46 million) for aerial maritime surveillance across millions of kilometres of the Pacific, using civilian planes and drones. China, which operates the biggest fishing fleets, demonstrated its coast guard capabilities to 10 Pacific Islands ministers in May, prompting concern from some regional officials it may start patrolling the South Pacific, where the United States Coast Guard has increased activity. Largest trading partner Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy attended the Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting for the first time, sitting across the room from China's ambassador Zhou Jian at the Fiji discussions. China's embassy in Fiji said in a statement that the group was a "crucial platform for promoting regional peace and stability". In the meeting, Mr Conroy highlighted that Australia is the largest trading partner of every member of the group. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said in a statement that progress was made on the security strategy, with "a firm commitment to collaborate with member countries and associate partners to enhance stability and peace throughout the region". He did not specific which partners. In the Solomon Islands on June 26, Mr Conroy said Australia will provide 60 police vehicles, cybersecurity support and road upgrades for Honiara to host the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in September. "The Pacific is best served by Pacific-led institutions and processes," he said in a statement. Solomon Islands is yet to formally respond to Australia's offer in December of A$100 million to expand its police force, Mr Conroy said in a television interview. "I made it clear that I don't think that China should be involved in policing in the Pacific," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Solomon Islands said it would fill any security gaps by seeking assistance from Melanesian countries, he added. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Melanesian Spearhead Group discusses Middle East conflict
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says the Middle East conflict was discussed at the recently-concluded Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting, Photo: Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Facebook Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says the Middle East conflict was one of the discussions of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), and Pacific leaders "took note of what is happening". The Post Courier reported Marape saying the war between Israel and Iran is based on high technology and using missiles sent from great distances. "In the context of MSG, the leaders want peace always. And the Pacific remains friends to all, enemies to none," he said. He said an effect on PNG would be the inflation in prices of oil and gas. Since then, Iran has struck a US base in Qatar . On Tuesday morning, US President Donald Trump said a ceasefire had been agreed upon between Israel and Iran, but this has not been confirmed by either nation. Australia had stepped in to help Papua New Guinea diplomats and citizens caught in the Middle East. Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko confirmed last week that a group was to be evacuated through Jordan. There were six diplomats in lockdown at the PNG embassy in Jerusalem awaiting extraction. Meanwhile, a repatriation flight for Australians stuck in Israel was cancelled after another barrage of Iranian missiles. The ABC reported it was the second day repatriation plays were scrapped last minute because of rocket fire. A bus meant to take people across the border into Jordan was cancelled the previous day. A spokesperson for New Zealand's minister of foreign affairs said where feasible, they may assist Pacific Islanders in the Middle East. "The Minister has said New Zealand will play its part as a good international citizen, and where feasible, that may involve assisting other nationals including those from the Pacific Islands," the spokesperson said. "It is important to note that nationals of the Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue have the rights of New Zealand citizens - and if nationals from those countries are in Iran or Israel, they're urged to follow the advice from MFAT to all New Zealanders to depart overland, if it is safe to do so." Auckland Airport is advising international travellers to the Middle East to keep in contact with their airlines amid disruption because of military action. The FlightRadar website shows a Qatar Airlines flight from Auckland to Doha that left Monday afternoon was diverted to Oman. Australian Travel Industry Association chief executive Dean Long told the ABC many international airlines had been forced to reroute, particularly those flying through key transit hubs like Doha and Dubai. "We're not seeing any major cancellations or significant delays affecting Australian travellers," Long said. Meanwhile, Fiji assumed the chairmanship of the Melanesian Spearhead Group during the 23rd Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders' Summit held at the Bose Levu Vakaturaga Talanoa Lounge in Suva. Fiji has assumed the chairmanship of the Melanesian Spearhead Group from Vanuatu. Photo: Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Facebook In a traditional ceremony accorded at the BLV Grounds, the MSG Chairmanship was handed over to Fiji from Vanuatu. Fiji Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka and Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Jotham Napat in their remarks reaffirmed the regional solidarity and shared commitment to building a "peaceful and prosperous Melanesia".
